Just stick to the rules!

I enter many comps,

On Facebook and Twitter,

I just write the answer,

On to the next, then I flitter.

But oh, deary me,

Some of the comments are sick!

I hope one of them,

Promoters don't pick!

My Grandad is dying,

This laptop would be great!

Let's hope he's still here,

On the big drawing date!

My son's in hospital,

Feeling quite ill,

But I'm home entering this,

I've got much time to kill!

My Mum has got cancer,

She's losing her hair!

Winning shampoo,

Would make her life fair!

Oh woe, is me,

I'm feeling so sad

Winning this tat,

I'd not feel so bad!

Look, here's a picture of my dog,

My unborn tot too,

I'll show all the world,

If my entry goes through.

Please, please, please,

It just asks for a word,

Not sickening long posts,

It's getting absurd!

They like and they love,

Share and cross fingers,

Emoji's are rife,

The annoyance, it lingers!

Now I'm off to enter,

To win something nice,

Perhaps I will tell,

Of my poor sickly mice!

So please have a care,

When entering now,

Just stick to the rules,

And never kowtow!

Halloween Horror

Jo stepped out of the car, pulling his coat tightly around him, his breath forming clouds of steam in the cold October air.

He smiled to himself. Yes, his plan had gone just like clockwork. This time last year, he had received a call to say that his lifelong, and very rich, friend had disappeared.

He had comforted the family, told them not to worry about the flat – he would deal with things. He'd put the furniture into storage, to keep it safe.

Of course they didn't know about the £100,000 that was hidden in the flat. Andy never did trust banks!

The family had offered to rent him the flat, on the understanding that if his friend returned, he would give it back.

But now, well, it was pretty obvious that he wasn't coming back – he couldn't come back, or could he!

Jo had always had to scrimp and save for everything, nothing ever seemed to go his way, but for Andy, everything was easy. Jobs fell at his feet, as did beautiful women. He led a charmed life.

That night, a year ago, they had argued, Jo had pushed him in a fit of rage, he had fallen, hit his head. It was an accident!

But Jo knew that with his shady past, the police would not see it that way.

He searched the internet – how to dispose of a body!

He needed a large container of some sort – that metal oil drum would do!

He roughly shoved Andy in, poured on the chemicals and sealed the lid!

Hidden amongst the other stored items, it would never be noticed.

Jo entered the building and made his way to the storage unit. He looked around, making sure that he was alone, and unsealed the lid of the drum.

He lifted it slowly, and peered in. There inside was the skeleton of Andy! Clean and white.

'Happy Halloween Mate, he sneered'

He carefully removed the remains from their shrine, dried them and bundled them up in a blanket.

Nobody would ever guess the truth about the realistic looking Halloween decoration in his flat tomorrow night.

It's nearly Christmas!

It's nearly Christmas!

What's that? You cry.

It's only September,

There's so much to buy!

I thought the same,

Til the surveys came in,

Christmas plans?

I was right in a spin!

It's too early, I shout,

The weather's still hot.

What will you buy?

What have you got?

Will you eat turkey,

At home or away,

I'd rather go out,

In the sunshine to play!

I rather like Christmas,

But not for a time!

Let's first enjoy Summer,

Then towards Winter we'll climb.

I'm closing your survey,

With a press of the X,

I'm not going to answer,

I'll put down my specs!

So dear Mr survey,

Please have a care,

Ask about beaches,

Warm balmy air.

And when Winter is here,

You can ask me once more,

I will fill and complete,

Give you answers galore.

Pokemon hunting!

I'm a middle aged lady,

But my cheeks were aglow,

When at first I heard of,

Pokemon go!

Back in the day,

I had all the games,

I caught all the beasties,

Knew all their names!

I've got a smartphone,

I downloaded the app,

Was out hunting Pokemon,

Consulting the map!

My aim isn't good,

So I miss a fair few,

But maybe I'll catch,

That elusive Mewtwo.

I've run out of balls!

Where is that stop?

At the top of that slope.

Up there I will pop.

Three balls,

They now are all mine,

I'm back off a hunting,

Everything's fine!

Maybe I'll hit on a gym,

To clock up a win.

But no, I'm too weak,

More grinding, I grin.

So I'm off out again,

For a walk and a scout,

That wonderful Charizard,

I will hopefully rout!

Cake!

I went to the shops,

For a walk and peruse,

It was nice and quiet,

Not many queues.

A saw a shop,

Selling nice treats,

They even had an area,

With nice comfy seats.

I looked at the cakes,

So pretty and sweet,

I found it so hard,

To choose one to eat.

I finally picked,

And paid in a wink,

With such yummy cakes,

I'll be back soon I think.

No regrets

I have two gorgeous daughters,

Both need a lot of care!

I do it all quite gladly,

I feel it's only fair.

There's physio and injections,

They're needed every day,

To keep them fit and healthy,

So they can run around and play.

Some days are spent at hospital,

Some days are spent at home,

But I still love my babies,

Wherever we do roam.

Well, they are not quite babies,

In fact they are all grown,

But they still need their Mummy,

So it's hard to be alone.

Some days I feel so tired,

I need a little rest,

It's right that I should take some,

So I will be at my best.

But no matter what needs doing,

However hard it does get,

I love my darling daughters,

And have not one regret.

Get it done!

When you have a job that has to be done by a certain deadline, what do you do?

Do you get on with it straight away, giving yourself plenty of time to finish, or do you leave it to the last minute and then rush and fret?

It is always better to get started on something as soon as possible in order to do it to the best of your ability, to take your time.

That way you have the time to research, learn and finish in good time without becoming anxious and rushed.

By starting as soon as possible, it also gives you better control of your time, as there will not be that all encompassing rush in the final hours.

Once you have finished your job, then your time will become yours once more, free to be filled with what you desire.

By having this freedom, you are more likely to stay calm, collected and productive.

What are you waiting for? Get up and get going. Get it done!

Be your own advisor

If you were on the outside looking in, what advice would you give yourself?

Giving somebody else advice is easy, because it isn't us that has to follow it through, but advising ourselves is harder, because we don't always want to follow our own advice.

Being our own advisor starts with knowing who we really are, our strengths and weaknesses. Our hopes and fears.

Although we may have many problems in our lives, our lives are not the sum of those problems.

We all have within us the ability to see clearly what we should do to solve these problems.

But first we must listen and be honest with what we need to do.

It is easy to advise ourselves, to take the easy way, but that is not always the best way to solve things.

We should rise above the temptation of the easy route and advise ourselves in a clear and objective way.

By doing this we are much more likely to overcome and learn from our problems.

Be strong, be clear, be your own advisor and thrive.

Where have they gone?

I went for a walk,

Out and about,

Usually I see lots of people,

But today I saw nought!

Not even a dog walker,

Having a wander,

Walking across hills,

Over there, yonder!

Where did they go,

Holidays in the sun?

Laying on beaches,

Having some fun?

Maybe at a BBQ,

Chatting with a mate,

Laughing and joking,

From morning til late.

But no, there's no smoke,

No BBQ smell!

It cannot be that,

Maybe all is not well.

Maybe they've all been transported,

To a far away land,

And it's just me that's left!

That wouldn't be grand.

I open the windows,

To get through some air,

Was that a shout?

Is there a human out there?

Ah now it is clear,

They are not out to roam,

Because they're all watching football,

Comfy at home!

Inside and out

How we feel about yourselves on the inside has a great deal to do with they way that we deal with things going on around us.

When all is well on the outside and our lives are going well, we will naturally feel better on the inside.

But we should not forget that we have the power to change how we feel on the inside to a great degree.

By feeling good about ourselves and having confidence in our abilities, we can greatly influence how the world around us appears.

By staying positive and happy, things will seem nicer on the outside, which will make the inside feel better too.

It is a never ending cycle, the happier we are on the inside, the happier we will be on the outside, even when life does throw us lemons.

A positive outlook really does help when things are not going so well.

It makes it easier to cope, easier to shrug off things that would otherwise upset us.

Being happy inside is a powerful thing. It makes us see the best of things, helps us to get on with life, rather than let it defeat us.

Be the best that you can on the inside, and the world around you will seem much more fulfilling place.

Admit your mistakes

We all make mistakes. Sometimes small, inconsequential  ones, sometimes monumental ones!

But it is how we react to these mistakes that matters.

Mistakes are a gateway to learning. Without them we would never learn and grow.

Some people will blame their mistakes on others and run away from them. But this can hurt those around you, causing them to turn away or resent you.

Blaming others may seem to be an easy way out, but it accomplishes nothing, as we cannot learn if we do not accept our mistakes.

Mistakes will always have consequences and dealing with these will be a source of learning, of bettering ourselves.

Dealing with and admitting our mistakes will not only makes us stronger, but can also gain the respect of those around us.

By admitting to our mistakes and taking responsibility for them, we are allowing ourselves to improve, to find better ways of doing things.

Admit to your mistakes, take responsibility, grow, learn and become stronger.

Sweet dreams

Alison rolled over and brought her hand down with a whack to silence the shrieking alarm clock. She laid, looking at the ceiling, gathering her thoughts for the day ahead.

It wasn't going to be easy. It was this day a year ago that her Mother had passed away. Thoughts flitted through her head. She smiled, thinking of her childhood, of how Mum was always there with a smile and a hug.

The days were filled with chatter and laughter, right up until bedtime, when Mum would tuck her in, kiss her on the forehead and say 'sweet dreams'.

Alison threw back the duvet and slowly headed downstairs. Luckily it was going to be manic at work, so she wouldn't have too much time to dwell.

She busied herself in the kitchen, brewing coffee and making toast, running through her plans for the day before dressing and heading out.

The traffic was heavy and by the time that she had reached work, her head was already pounding – great, it had to be today of all days!

She reached her desk and began to tackle the pile of work on her desk.

The day passed in a whirlwind. That was the good thing about busy days like this, at least the time went quickly and before she knew it, home time had arrived.

The traffic was quieter now. She drove home, her mind once again thinking about Mum. She was so young! It just wasn't fair. She should still be here, asking her how her day had gone, enjoying a chat.

Alison opened the door, flung her bag onto the sofa and went into the kitchen to pour herself a large glass of wine. Boy, she really needed a drink.

She checked her phone for messages.............nothing. She put her phone onto the table and sank, exhausted onto the sofa.

She sipped her wine, feeling it warming and relaxing her. She began to feel sleepy, her eyelids became heavy, she dozed off into a light sleep.

A sound filtered into her mind, a tapping sound. She woke with a start, looking around the room, trying to place the sound.

She looked at her phone, still sat on the table! Yes, that's where it's coming from. She snatched up the phone and swiped the screen.

Her eyes opened wide as she read the words that had appeared! 'Sweet dreams'

She stared at the screen, at those two magical words and a smile formed on her lips.

Thanks Mum, she murmured. I think I just might have sweet dreams tonight for the first time in a year.

Overwhelmed

There are times when our lives become overwhelming.

There just seems to be so much to do that we don't know where start.

We feel stressed and anxious and feel that we will never come out of the other side of this confusing, overwhelming place that we have found ourselves in.

At times like these we should take a step back, take a deep breath and allow ourselves to calm down, because whilst we are feeling overwhelmed, it is almost impossible to think clearly and objectively.

Once we feel calmer, we should look at what we have to do. Do we have to do it all?

The answer is usually no. Over time, our lives become cluttered by habits and actions that we have accumulated over the years.

Often they are of little or no use to us at the present time, but we just go on doing them, because we always have.

Now, when we are so overwhelmed is a good time to let go of these habits, to clear the way forward for what is important right now.

Once we have de-cluttered and feel clearer, we can see what is important, what really needs to be done.

We can prioritise clearly without all of the clutter getting in our way.

And now, with a clearer mind and life, we will feel lighter, more in control, ready to take on the world once more.

So what are you waiting for? Prioritise, de-clutter and take back control.

It's impossible!

It's impossible!

How many times have we said this when things get tough?

But the truth is, things are only impossible when we stop trying.

No matter how difficult something appears to be, if we are determined enough, we will often find a way to succeed.

Sometimes we will walk away, to think, to clear our minds, to research a different way to proceed, but if we really want something, then we should return to the task.

It will be hard, there will be trials and tribulations along the way, but we should just keep going, one step at a time, towards our goal.

Before we know where we are, the impossible has become the possible. The goal has become closer.

So instead of saying that something is impossible, tell yourself that it is possible, you just have to find a way to make it so.

Keep strong, keep trying, make the impossible possible.

What are you going to do today?

What do you going to do today?

Do you intend to tick something off of your to do list, or is it your intent to spend the day doing as little as possible?

Do you intend to play, or to work, or maybe a mix of the two.

Whatever you intend to do today, make it count.

If you do nothing, then you will achieve nothing, learn nothing, will not grow.

But if you fill your day with wonder, learning and enjoyment it will be a positive day that you can look back on with satisfaction.

So commit to doing something special today.

It may be something small, or it could be a life changing decision.

Once this day is done, it is gone forever and cannot be changed, so make it the best that you can.

Whatever you choose, make it count, make today count.

It's great to be so curvy!

It's great to be so curvy,

Having ample boobs up top!

When walking down the street,

It makes the guys all stop!

It is so very funny,

When they walk into a post,

It makes me smile and giggle,

It's the thing I like the most!

I love my pair of girlies,

To them I am attached,

Their ample size and shape,

Are rarely nearby matched.

And then there is the cleavage,

It has a lot of front!

It fills the dresses nicely,

If I may be rather blunt!

There's lots of pretty undies,

Of many patterns and hues,

I like to take my time,

When some new ones I can choose.

But I don't feel quite so brave,

When swimwear time comes nigh,

Cos, my belly's a bit wobbly,

Not a bikini, I often sigh!

The one downside of boobs,

Is when running for the bus!

A good supporting sports bra,

At these times is a plus.

I thank my stars I have them,

Without them I'd be flat,

Nothing to fill out my clothes,

I wouldn't much like that!

But there's one thing I miss,

Oh it would be such a treat,

Because since I was twelve,

I haven't seen my feet!

The dawn

The day awakes. The misty light of dawn reaching it's warm tendrils into the still morning air.

The water shines, motionless. Not the slightest ripple breaks its glassy surface, reflecting the trees which reach down to meet it.

I walk in the growing light, the world slowly yawning and stretching around me.

A heron stands, like a grey, feathered statue beside the water. It watches intently for movement, for fins to break the surface.

It darts forward, spear like beak lancing the water. The fish, small and silvery wriggles and gleams.

One swallow and it is gone. Did it know that this was it's last day of life? The heron resumes it's vigil.

A bark! I look across the water and my eyes meet with the cool gaze of a magnificent fox. Her coat glows like fire in the early morning sunshine.

She sits and watches proudly as her four cubs gambol and roll on the grass. Barks and squeals break the silence.

I stand and watch, entranced by their antics as the mother watches me regally.

I walk on, the sound of birds begins to fill the air. They call and swoop, taunting each other in a tumult of sound.

A movement! I look. A roe deer and her baby are grazing. They look up, nervous as I stop.

They feed for a few moments longer, and with a backwards glance at me disappear into the trees like ghosts.

I turn towards home. I can hear traffic now. The morning rush hour is starting. The metal beasts roar as they take their inhabitants about their daily activities.

Early morning joggers, earphones in place, run past me shattering my solitude.

I walk on, almost home now and hear a patter of paws. A small brown bundle of fur launches itself at me.

I laugh and greet my friend. A pat and stroke, a conversation with his master.

Home now. I kick off my shoes and make a warming cup of tea.

I sit, cradling my cup. Yes, I enjoy my morning walks, greeting the new day and seeing the wonder of nature.

What does technology mean to you?

What does technology mean to you?

This may seem to be a strange question, but think about it for a moment.

For some people it means the latest and greatest gadgets - fun, games and entertainment.

For others it is just a means to an end, a way to get things done more quickly and efficiently.

There is no doubt that technology has made our lives better in many ways, helping not only to entertain us and keep us connected, but also to live longer and healthier lives.

Whatever it means to you, the certainty is that technology is taking over more and more aspects of our daily lives.

It has got to the point where society would struggle if all technology suddenly broke down.

We all rely on it daily, even if we feel that we don't.

Even just cooking a meal usually relies on the technology of our microwaves, ovens and hobs.

Washing our clothes, watching TV, hoovering, ironing - they are all made easier by technology.

However we use technology, and whatever it means to us, we should always remember that it is just a tool.

Technology can bring its own stresses. The stresses of always wanting to be available, to always keep up with what is going on in the world.

We should remember that we don't need to be constantly connected, constantly entertained.

Every so often, it is good to go back to basics for a while, to switch off and enjoy ourselves without our gadgets and gizmos.

Going for a walk and leaving our phone at home is a very simple way of doing this, or how about being brave and camping out under the stars, with nature as your companion.

So how about taking the time today to disconnect, de-stress and enjoy a few technology free hours.

What will you choose?

Our lives are full of choices, from the tiny right up to the life changing.

What we have chosen to do up until now has shaped us into the person that we are today.

What we choose to do from now will shape our future.

Whether we succeed in life or not is mainly down to the choices that we make along our way.

All of our choices matter, even the small ones can have consequences that we cannot foretell.

Each choice is like a crossroad, and the next choice is yet another crossroad, and so on.

These many paths can lead to an infinite amount of possibilities, some good, some not so good.

Some choices are easy, some are very difficult, but each has it's own set of consequences.

So it is wise to consider our choices wisely, to make them work for us and to help us become the best that we possibly can be.

We should take our time, consider our actions, get the most that we can from our choices.

So what path are you going to take today? Choose wisely, grow and learn.

I am strong!

How do you define being strong? Does it mean being physically strong, or does it mean mentally strong?

Whichever way we perceive it, we have the tools to increase that strength.

If we do nothing, do not challenge ourselves, take those first steps out of our comfort zone, then we will never get stronger.

But with each small step we make, our strength will begin to increase.

As we push ourselves a little further each time, we teach our body and soul to become stronger.

With steady progress we will become stronger than we ever thought that we could.

Or lives and happiness, our very confidence in our own abilities will grow along with our strength.

Only when we push the limits of comfort will we truly know how strong we can be, and how much we are capable of.

So take that first step today, use your body and mind, challenge it, grow strong.

The block

She took off her glasses, setting them down beside her. She rubbed her temples in despair.

It had been so long since this had happened last. She had hoped that it had been the first and only time that it would happen.

But no, here she was yet again. There seemed to be no rhyme nor reason to it. Sometimes things just went her way. And at other times, like now, they just didn't.

Maybe some inspiration would come, maybe a random thought would spark off something momentous within her.

Perhaps a glass of wine would help her to relax and let the ideas flow.

She walked to the fridge and poured herself a large glass of white, padded back to the sofa, curled up comfortably and tried to think.

She sipped the wine, waiting, waiting for inspiration, but still nothing came.

This was no good! People were relying on her, waiting for her guidance, humour and inspiration.

Maybe a walk! She threw on her coat and headed out into the cool, Spring evening and headed off.

Yes, sometimes finding inspiration was difficult.

What to write, what to write. A poem, a story? Or maybe a deep and meaningful thought.

Serendipity smiled to herself. Maybe tomorrow the writers block would lift.

Maybe tomorrow she would pen the blog post of her life.

Celebrate

As we go through our lives, we enjoy many celebrations.

These can come in the form of birthdays, anniversaries, marriages and all manner of other important occasions.

But does it really need to be a special occasion in order to celebrate today?

Just being here to enjoy the day is a good enough reason to celebrate.

This day is special, there will never be another quite like it, so we should celebrate it.

Indeed we should celebrate each and every day as we go through the journey of our lives.

The sad thing is that one day, hopefully far into the future, it will be our last day.

So instead of drifting through life, just going through each day without marking it, make a point of celebrating it.

Mark each day as special. Embrace and recognize it. Celebrate and enjoy each and every day.

Super sunshine

As I sit here and type, I am bathed in the warm glow of today's beautiful sunshine.

It's amazing how much better the sunshine can make us feel.

It brings with it feelings of happiness, it makes us feel like life isn't quite so bad after all.

It's warmth and energy can make us feel happier and more positive.

It gives us the urge to go outside and enjoy it whilst it lasts.

Sunshine makes the world seem a brighter, more interesting place.

It makes us more sociable - after all who wants to stop for a chat, or go to a barbecue when it is raining and cold.

We can enjoy spending more time outside, gardening, walking, reading, just relaxing.

Some of these effects are psychological, but some are backed up by science.

The sun on our skin triggers our body to produce Vitamin D andsunlight helps us to maintain our wake and sleep cycles, so can help us to sleep better.

It is always important to remember to protect our skin against the sun with sunscreens, hats and clothing.

That way we can enjoy the benefits that the sun brings, while still protecting ourselves from damage.

So if the sun is shining wherever you are in the world, embrace it's energy, enjoy it, live life, enjoy.

Young love

Stephanie sat staring at the screen. No new views yet again, no young male suitors wanting to meet her.

She just didn't understand it. She'd registered with the site, filled in all of her details truthfully, added a recent photo and nothing.

Was she really that boring? Didn't anybody find her interests, well, interesting?

She'd led an exciting life up until now, travelling the world, living out of a back back, skinny dipping on remote beaches under a moonlit sky.

She rose, stretched out her aching muscles and ran herself a hot bath. Maybe that exercise class earlier had been a bit much after the party of the night before.

She sank into the fragrant, bubbly water and began to think.

What could she do to get more views? How could she appear more interesting? 

A smile slowly formed on her lips. Yes! Of course, that could well be the answer to her problem!

She dried herself and headed back to the computer, her plan now fully formed.

She opened her profile page, looking at her photo, let's have something a bit different, she said to herself with a smile.

She browsed her computer, looking through photo after photo. Ah, yes, that would do. Her 21 year old, smiling face looked back at her, tanned and healthy.

She remembered that day vividly. It was on a back packing holiday in the Australian outback with a friend. She pressed the button and uploaded it to her profile.

What next? Maybe a little massaging of the truth? Yes, just a little, nothing too obvious.

After all, once they'd met her, they would realise how attractive and interesting she really was!

She finished her work and smiled. Yes, this should draw in some nice gentlemen who would like to meet her for a date.

She looked at the clock – ah, time to go!

She rose, grabbing her pension book from the table and headed out to the Post Office.

Well, she hadn't exactly lied, had she? A young toyboy would be just the thing to put a spring in those old legs of hers – she'd always liked them young!

The Money Shed

I like to earn some money,

A little on the side,

A survey here, some testing there,

I take it in my stride.

I found a site, that helped me,

To glean a little more,

Lots of new ideas,

To make money my way pour.

It's full of lovely people,

Helpful to the end,

You can ask them lots of questions,

It won't drive them round the bend!

The owner's name is Jon,

A sterling kind of chap,

Full of fresh ideas,

To him I doff my cap.

Why not take a look,

At his website, oh so great,

He'll get you earning money,

Treat you like a mate,

So here is a pointer,

Over here you should head,

Sign up, enjoy and earn,

At the wonderful Money Shed

Stepping forwards

Sometimes life goes exactly as planned and everything feels great, but at other times, it seems to throw a spanner in the works at every opportunity.
 
When we feel knocked back by life, it is very easy to just give up, because everything just seems to be so hard.

But if we give up, we will also be giving up on attaining our dreams and goals.

Even if things are difficult, it is better to take a slow and steady ramble then to just stand still.

Feeling sorry for ourselves doesn't achieve anything. It just makes us feel that our goals are all the more unattainable, it saps us of our self worth, our inner spark.

Despite what has happened to us, we should continue to look forward, to strive to keep stepping out on our journey, learning and growing.

So what are you waiting for? Put on those walking shoes and step forwards.

Sort it out!

How often do you put off things that need doing? The chances are that it is quite often.

Sometimes it is because it is a task that we don't enjoy, and at other times it just never seems the right time.

By getting things done as soon as possible, our life feels clearer and brighter, more organised.

Not doing things can cause stress, as they are forever on our minds - that room that needs decorating, that dripping tap!

These are examples of simple things, but annoying and stressful all the same and can be easily sorted out.

Other things are harder, more problematical, but ignoring them will not make them go away.

So why not deal with it right now? If you don't, then it will still be there, taunting you, waiting to be done tomorrow.

Instead of obsessing about how difficult or time consuming it will be, just get on and make a start.

The sooner that you start, the sooner it can be finished.

So sort it out, get it done - don't wait a moment longer.

Fitbit fun

I bought myself a fitbit,

A couple of weeks ago,

To help me get fitter,

Stop me getting quite so slow.

On went the band,

And I went for a roam,

Oh my legs ached so much.

You could hear me moan and groan!

But two weeks on,

I'm getting much better,

Stronger and fitter,

Following my goals to the letter!

Just a few more stairs,

A few more steps to go,

I'm quite enjoying myself,

Getting out and about, you know.

I meet up with a friend,

Walking with their dog.

Have a nice chat,

That's another walk to log!

I watch the birds,

Singing in the trees,

Ducks a swimming,

Hear the buzzing of the bees.

I'm now a bit lighter,

Much less out of puff,

I'll run up those stairs,

Have I done quite enough?

Buzz buzz,

Today's goal is done.

But tomorrow's another day,

I'll walk and have some fun.

I wonder!

We travel through our days, often doing exactly the same thing, seeing exactly the same things and rarely do we stop to think about them.

We just take them for granted and accept them as they are.

But what if one day we didn't. What if we thought about them, examined them, saw them in a different and new light.

Just a simple thought can change our whole perspective on things, lead us to new and exciting things.

Instead of taking them for granted because they have always seemed the same, we will see them as new possibilities, new ideas.

Our day will become different, more exciting, new and fresh.

So instead of just accepting that things are just the way they are, think I wonder what would happen if I did something different, looked at things a different way.

Look around, add some sparkle to your day.............wonder.

Rapture

I sit, close my eyes,

I fall, deep within myself.

My body numbs,

My mind is set free.

A gossamer touch against my face,

Whispered voices heard,

Love, enveloping me.

Warmth, rapture, joy.

Knowledge, whispered knowledge.

Things of which I know nothing,

Knowledge of all, everything,

Swirling within, filling me.

I am at one, I am free,

I am filled with light, with love.

Flying, flying in the never ending abyss.

Here is where I want to stay.

But I must return,

There is much to do!

Messages to give,

Hope to inspire.

I leave, my body becomes heavy.

I open my eyes.

I feel empty.

I stretch, get up, connect with this mortal world.

My whole being yearns to be back in that place for eternity.

To love, to learn, to be free of pain and suffering.

The time will come, but not for many years yet.

I must stay, live, be human!

Love everlasting

Today marks our 30th wedding anniversary. How the years have flown.

It doesn't seem that long since our wedding day, and here we are, still together 30 years later!

It made me think about love, in all of its many guises.

When we are in that first flush of love in a new relationship, it is all encompassing, it fills our very being to the brim, leaving little space for anything else.

But over the years, that raging fire dies down into a more consistent warmth.

But that does not mean that the love has died, it has merely changed character.

It is at this point that many couples feel that they are growing apart because the love is not as strong.

But that is not always true, it is just that we have grown and adapted to that love as a couple.

We still love and care about each other, still hold hands, cuddle and talk about our hopes and fears, just as we did all of those years ago.

Love changes as we do. As we grow to know each other, we feel more comfortable and at ease in each others company without feeling the need to have such flamboyant gestures to prove our love to each other.

Love has many faces: Looking after each other when we are ill, dropping other things when we are needed, laughing and crying together.

Love has many faces and guises which are eternally changing.

Love should be cherished and kept alive today and every day.

Accept your problems

We all have problems, we all have hardships.

How we react and deal with them can make them easier to accept and deal with.

We can either fight them and get angry and stressed, or we can accept them and try to do the best that we can in the circumstances.

That is not to say that we shouldn't try to solve them if it is possible, but by accepting them, we will be in a better mindset to deal with what life has dealt us.

If we approach our problems with good humour and a positive mindset, then we are much more likely to find that things are not as bad as we thought.

And even if they are bad, our acceptance will put us in a very powerful mindset to deal with them in the best and most constructive way.

We all have the power within us to deal with problems and hardships, we just have to tell ourselves that we are capable.

So be strong, accept your problems and hardships and deal with them, rise to the challenge and shine.

Look back

In the future, when you look back at today, will it be a day to be proud of?

It is very easy to squander our days, drifting through them and achieving very little.

But each of our days should be seen as a precious, once in a lifetime thing.

Once this day is finished, it can never be relived, so make it count.

It doesn't matter if today is going to be an easy or a hard day, as long as we fill it to the best of our ability.

If you do choose to spend it doing very little, then make sure that you enjoy your laziness, relishing the break that it gives.

If you choose to fill it to the brim with activity, then enjoy the feeling of accomplishment that comes from it.

But, whatever you do, make it count, make it good, make it a day to look back on, knowing that you made it the best day that you possibly could.

My eyes are tired!

My eyes are tired,

I can not see!

I haven't bought,

My glasses with me!

The print is so awkward,

Confound it all!

How can I read,

It's all too small!

I'll ask that lad,

Just over there,

Can you read this,

Have a care!

As we grow old,

It's often true,

Our eyes get weak,

It makes us blue!

But a pair of specs,

Will make it right,

Then we can read,

All day and all night!

Let go of resentment

We have all felt resentment at times during our lives.

Sometimes it is because we feel that someone has wronged us, or it may be that we feel that somebody has been given something in a way that displeases us.

It is what we do with these feelings of resentment that is important.

We could hold them within ourselves, letting them grow, letting them suck away our joy of life.

Or we could acknowledge them and simply let them go, leaving space for joy and happiness to fill their space.

Carrying this burden of resentment saps us of energy, eats into our precious time, poisons our souls.

It leaves us feeling tired, fed up and we don't enjoy our day to day lives as much.

It is not easy to let go of these resentful feelings, but we must try, for the sake of both our own happiness and those around us.

Resentment will give us nothing. So let it go, and be free once more.

Happy Easter

Good morning to you all on this very special day, Easter Sunday.

What does Easter mean to you?

To some, it is about the new life that springs forth after the bleak coldness of winter.

For others it is a weekend to spend enjoying the company of their families and friends. To enjoy good food and good conversation.
 
To the little ones, it's all about the chocolate eggs - another symbol of new life. There will be Easter Egg hunts and all sorts of fun and games today, providing that the weather isn't too bad.

But the real meaning of Easter has been lost to so many people. They have forgotten that Easter Sunday is a celebration of the resurrection of Jesus after his crucifixion.

The day has been commercialised, like many other special days and festivals, reduced to little more than a money making exercise for shops.

So whilst you are eating your family lunch and tucking into your eggs, spare a minute to contemplate what today is really about.

But above all, enjoy your day, whatever you have planned.

Happy Easter.

The curse of the many lights!

I am all for saving energy, both to help our wonderful planet and also because I don't like paying more for my bills than I have to.

But why, oh why do I have to put up with so many lights?

As I am typing this, sitting comfortably downstairs on the sofa, the home hub upstairs is blinking and winking with a myriad of coloured lights. I can't see them from here, I know that the internet is working, because I am using it. The only purpose of these lights seems to be to rob me of sleep if I go to bed before the rest of the family.

Then there is the TV, with its solitary red eye, taunting me: If you want to watch me, just press this button, just here, the one with the light on, and I will spring to life and entertain you! Do the manufacturers think that I will forget where the 'on' button is if it hasn't got a light on it to remind me?

The thermostat has a little winking light on it, reassuring me that it is alive and working. The boiler in return has its own blue light to confirm that it is still on talking terms with the thermostat! But I am warm, so the heating is indeed working, I don't need two lights to tell me that.

If I come downstairs in the night, the front room is lit up like Christmas! The game consoles, laptops, tablets all have their little blinking lights to say that they are still alive and well, even if they are on standby mode.

The last person to bed could unplug and shut down everything, but in the real world, it doesn't happen and some things cannot be turned off to quench their lights, such as fridges, freezers and heating systems.

So come on manufacturers, either stop with the unnecessary lights, or give us an option to turn them off when they are not needed – for the sake of the planet, our bank balance, and our sanity!

How is your mood?

Yesterday, I went for a routine Doctor's appointment. Part way through the consultation, he asked me how my mood was.

My reply was that I was fine thank you. And I am.

Over the last weeks, I have realised what is important in my life.

What needs to be addressed, what I have to be thankful for, what a blessed life that I have led up until now, and that I hope to lead for many years yet to come.

We do not know what fate has in store for us, or how long we have left on this Earth.

The most important thing that I have realised is that life is to be enjoyed, to be lived.

We should grab it, enjoy it, run with it.

Many people, when they find themselves at an uncertain or difficult point in their lives, turn in upon themselves, ask why me?

They can become depressed and withdrawn, they can't see any joy in their lives.

Dwelling on the unfairness in our lives does no good, it poisons our souls, makes life a dull, dark and stressful place.

Instead we should focus on what we do have, what is good, what we have achieved, and what we can yet achieve.

We should, literally, count our blessings.

See the good, see the blessings, be happy, be free, live.

Homonym Homage

Our language is rich,

We use it each day,

But it can be confusing,

To those from away.

Words that sound the same,

Like there and also their,

To use them correctly,

We must spell them with care.

Then there's bow,

A most tricky word,

With many meanings,

So I have heard.

There's the bow of a ship,

Or tying a lace,

Or used to fire an arrow,

At a far away place!

What about two,

The number of a pair?

Can I join too?

Is it quite fair?

How about bark?

The noise of a dog,

But it's also a covering,

For a tree and a log!

When hanging a picture,

You might hammer a nail,

But mind the nail on your thumb,

Or you surely will fail!

Fancy a jape with a friend,

How about pool?

To swim or the game,

Get it wrong, you're a fool!

It is a fine season,

Spring is now here,

And salt on your food?

Is tasty, I hear.

I could go on,

With many a line

But I think I'll stop here,

It'll do me just fine.

Getting better

I've been so ill,

For quite a while,

It's really quite boring,

It's becoming a trial!

I've been sat on the sofa,

For day after day,

I need some strength,

To enjoy life my way.

But with the help of drugs,

And a touch of fresh air,

I'm starting to feel better,

Slowly getting there.

Today, I'm bored!

A new feeling to be sure!

The great outdoors,

Holds a certain allure!

Maybe a walk around the block,

Would be rather nice,

To build up my muscles,

That's my doctor's advice.

So on with my coat,

And out of the door!

It's just such a shame,

That the weather is poor!

My legs feel good,

Not wobbly and weak!

I'm going to get better,

More strength I do seek

Now I'm back home,

And the sofa looks good!

Maybe a little sit down,

Now I've walked and I've stood!

Tomorrow I'll be stronger,

Walk a bit more,

Further and further,

I'll walk from my door.

Then when some time has passed,

And my strength is all good,

I'll run, play and jump,

Like I knew that I would!